A friend just bought and it is almost identical to my Juki 98-TLQ and 2010 excluding the needle threader. Never been able to get my needle threader to work and many I talked to have same issue with Juki so don't hold that against it. We've sat the machines side by side and they are pretty much equal in use and design. I have a 98TLQ for piecing and a 2010 on my frame and I think it's a pretty even machine. If you can get it for $500 I'd jump. Any chance you can sew with it prior to sale and make sure everything works?